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Spotted: According to the World Bank, by 2050, nearly 7 out of 10 people around the globe will live in cities. At the same time, average temperatures will continue to rise, and extreme weather events will become more frequent due to global warming. To adjust to this new reality, urban planners need to assess all developments for climate impact. This is exactly where technology developed by climatetech company Greenpass can help. 

Greenpass has developed a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that supports construction companies, city planners, and developers in making their projects more climate-resilient and sustainable. The software assesses the impact of buildings on areas such as climate, wind, water, air, biodiversity, energy, and cost. 

The platform creates a digital twin of an area and performs a 3D impact analysis of different scenarios, for example, simulating and evaluating the planning of a construction project. The simulation results are then combined with spatial analyses to calculate key performance indicators. For example, a climate check focuses on the thermal comfort for humans as well as the energy balance of a project. 

Initially emerging from a research project, the Greenpass technology has been honed over the past ten years, in cooperation with international research institutes, universities, and international model cities. The company has received total funding of around €6 million to develop its software and processes, and the technology has already been used over 220 projects in more than 10 countries. 

Given the impact of the real estate sector on global warming, it is no surprise that a lot of the innovations Springwise has spotted are targeted at reducing this. From modular building bricks made from cork to building cladding made of recycled glass, there is no shortage of ideas for reaching net zero in the industry.

Written By: Lisa Magloff